Barracuda's Copy Storage Cloud Updates Get Enterprising

Copy gets ready for business with new features that improve security and support advanced workflows.

Barracuda Networks has added new business-friendly features to its cloud-based file sync and storage platform called Copy.

The Campbell, Calif.-based tech company announced new tweaks and a handful of integrations today that will help businesses users collaborate more securely on its platform, which competes with popular cloud storage services like Box and Dropbox. "Our customers have asked for a more secure and easier to use solution, and Barracuda is answering," said Rod Mathews, Barracuda's general manager of Storage.

Updates include Federated Storage Areas, which are new user management capabilities that allow workers to access both personal and corporate data from a single account. The company has also teamed with technology partners to help extend Copy's reach into the enterprise.

"The new functionality and our Copy integrations with SignNow, Mover, Redbooth and Kloudless are great examples of Barracuda and our partners putting that security and convenience right in our customers' hands," added Mathews.

Using SignNow's e-signature technology in conjunction with Redbooth, a collaboration and sharing platform, enables users to streaming approvals and forms collection, according to Barracuda.

Barracuda isn't the only cloud storage provider that is forging technology alliances to target businesses in an increasingly competitive cloud storage market.

In December, Dropbox and Dell announced that they were teaming up to help the latter's commercial customers transition to cloud file storage. Last week Box and MobileIron, a Mountain View, Calif.-based provider of mobile device management (MDM) solutions, partnered for secure, cloud-based mobile access to files.

Barracuda has also published new Copy apps for iOS, Android and Windows. In addition, Copy now sports new, more polished user interface and admin page with simplified, task-oriented navigation. Under the hood, Barracuda has improved security with policy-based control for file access and sharing controls and joining outside shares.

Copy is free for individuals, with 15 GB of cloud storage. Copy Pro plans start at $9.99 per month or $99 per year for up to 250 GB of storage. 10-user packs cost $79.99 per month or $899 per year, with no storage limits.

Pedro Hernandez is a contributing editor at InfoStor. Follow him on Twitter @ecoINSITE.